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Store casualties mount as TG Jones closures begin across the UK

By John Freeman on 2 August 2026 • ( 0 )

Major British newspaper, comics, magazine and bookseller TG Jones has begun a major round of store closures, with 150 of its 480 shops expected to close. However, comic and magazine publishers have also begun developing strategies to counter this blow to their high street sales outlets.

As we’ve previously reported here on downthetubes, the stores closing are victim to past inept management by former owner WHSmith and the dubious activities of current owner Modella Capital, whose business practices, while not illegal, surely merit not just contempt but government investigation for their serial damage to the high street.

Currently, TG Jones employs some 4700 staff across over 400 stores, mostly in the UK. It previously warned that the overhaul would put jobs at risk and one third of its high street operation is expected to shutter.

WHSmith sold its High Street operation to Modella Capital, but retained the brand name for its travel stores in airports and rail stations, necessitating a name change choice that was derided by some industry brand experts, and the new owners admitted had caused confusion for customers.

Among the confirmed upcoming casualties, which will also see some towns losing post offices, are Aylesbury, Ayr, Beaconsfield, Brixton, Helston, Hull, Redhill, Swindon, Uckfield, and Wrexham.

Stores in cities such as Coventry have already closed.

TG Jones secured high court permission to lay waste to its operation, sorry, “restructure”, last month, but this didn’t stop Modella from buying Flying Tiger Copenhagen, and eyeing up the purchase of another retailer, Knightsbridge-based Harvey Nichols.

Previous businesses Modella managers have run into the ground include Tie Rack.

Post Office Closure Statement

Image: TG Jones | Image: TG Jones — *Image: TG Jones*

“We fully recognise the challenging trading conditions that TG Jones and many other High Street retailers are facing at the moment, The Post Office said in a statement about impending store closures in June.

“Following the launch of its Restructuring Plan, TG Jones has already confirmed that, regrettably, seven of its stores will close, as will the Post Offices within those stores, around mid-July.

“We know how important our products and services are to the local community. We have already advertised these vacancies, which have generated interest from interested retailers… We are taking the proactive step of advertising the opportunity to express an interest in operating a Post Office branch. This is to ensure that, should a branch need to close, we are in the strongest possible position to minimise disruption to customers by identifying a replacement operator as quickly as possible.”

Publishers fight back

Modella Capital, the British private equity firm who bought high street arm of WHSmith just last June, is reported to be planning to close "scores" of shops. — *Comics and magazine sales, long in decline, will be impacted by TG Jones restructuring, but publishers are fighting back*

The trade title Better Retailing reported last month that the magazine industry has begun preparing measures to redirect customers to nearby independent retailers where stores close. The title reported postcode-level analysis has already been completed to identify retailers best placed to capture displaced sales.

Publishers will also receive 12 months of EPOS sales data showing the likely impact of individual closures, while consumer leaflets, retailer point-of-sale packs and door drops are being prepared to encourage shoppers to buy magazines from alternative outlets.

“The plans are intended to maintain consumer access to magazines while minimising disruption to publishers and retailers,” Better Retailing noted. “Retailers close to affected TG Jones stores could also be offered additional magazine fixtures to help expand their range and capture displaced sales.

The title reported last week that shops near TGJones closures have won extra magazine sales, thanks to the industry scheme designed to protect customers.

Magazine distributor Frontline is directing affected shoppers to nearby stores, and helping them find their preferred titles.

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.